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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Herald & Times Sport

Herald & Times writers detail Rangers vs Celtic predictions

Rangers and Celtic will meet for the last time this season on Saturday.

The clubs will go head-to-head in the final encounter of this term in the second post-split fixture.

Celtic sealed the Scottish Premiership title last weekend with victory over Hearts and are gunning for an unbeaten record against Rangers this season.

Michael Beale, meanwhile, is aiming for his first triumph over Celtic as Rangers boss.

Here, our writers predict the outcome of the match...

Matthew Lindsay

Rangers 2 Celtic 2

Michael Beale may still be waiting to savour his first victory over Celtic as Rangers manager entering his fifth Old Firm derby.

But his team has certainly competed well for long spells in three of their four encounters in 2023 and I can see them taking something from the match in Govan this weekend if they reproduce their display.

Having all of the supporters in the 52,000-strong crowd at Ibrox cheering them on will be, as the old football saying goes, like having a 12th man.

The visitors will be keen to maintain their winning run ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden next month and achieve a record cinch Premiership points total of 107.

But Cameron Carter-Vickers is a big loss for the newly-crowned Scottish champions. His replacement Yuki Kobayashi looks to be an elegant footballer. But it is asking a lot of the 22-year-old Japanese centre half to perform in such a hostile environment in only his fifth start in this country.

I suspect that honours will finish even at the end of what promises to be an interesting 90 minutes.

Chris Jack

Rangers 2 Celtic 1

It would be somewhat typical if this Rangers side were to win the Old Firm fixture that is largely irrelevant this season and now that the silverware pressure is off.

These fixtures are never meaningless, though, and Michael Beale needs a performance and a result to change the narrative heading into a summer that will see him overhaul his squad.

If Celtic are at their best, they will be hard to stop at Ibrox. But the levels may just dip ever so slightly after their crowning moment and with the Treble in sight.

Rangers need to capitalise if that is the case. This will be the final Old Firm clash for so many and Beale’s side could just sneak it after so many derby frustrations this term.

Graeme McGarry

Rangers 1 Celtic 1

Normally, an end of season affair like this would be a chance for the vanquished foe to attempt to lay a marker for the next campaign, but such is the state of flux that lies ahead at Ibrox this summer, the team Michael Beale puts out will likely bear little resemblance to the next one that faces Celtic.

There are a few, such as goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, who will be looking to seize their opportunity, and a few more playing for their Rangers futures, but the usual hunger and desperation to win may well be missing.

The same could be said for the Celtic team, whose main motivation may be to take a lap of honour in front of a stadium fully comprised of Rangers supporters.

With little materially at stake, though, I can see a fairly uneventful draw unfolding at Ibrox.

Liam Bryce

Rangers 1 Celtic 1

Players and management will insist nothing changes in these games even when league title consequences are removed from the equation. But there’s been a few of these scenarios over recent years and they tend not to spark the same intensity when there are no prizes on the line.

Both teams will likely make some changes to perhaps give players who haven’t fully experienced these unique days a chance to immerse themselves in it. That being said, fans of both Celtic and Rangers will always demand a strong derby showing from their teams in what will be their final meeting before it starts all over again next season.

Celtic will have an eye on finishing the campaign unbeaten against their city rivals, and for Rangers there is a need to stop the recent run of defeats in this fixture. With that in mind, a score draw may just be the most likely outcome.

Ewan Paton

Rangers 1 Celtic 1

With very little to play for in the dead-rubber derby, I think this one could end up in a stalemate.

Michael Beale has yet to get one over Ange Postecoglou while permanent manager of the Ibrox club, but I can't see that changing this weekend.

Rangers badly need the summer so that Beale can show his credentials in the transfer market to rebuild the team.

For the Hoops, Postecoglou insists they will continue their hell-for-leather approach despite having already won the league.

Given the circumstances, it seems hard to believe that this game will be played at the same intensity as their recent previous encounters.

David Irvine

Rangers 1 Celtic 2

With the league title already sealed, there is little more than some element of pride up for grabs in the final encounter between Rangers and Celtic.

Michael Beale will be desperate to take his first win over Celtic as Ibrox boss but there is little expectation of any letup from Ange Postecoglou's relentless side.

I expect Rangers to be right up for this one with the backing of an Ibrox crowd demanding a result, however, I can't see Celtic slipping up this season.

Beale has outlined himself how massive a summer transfer window will be for Rangers - and without major change I can't see a change in the tide of results in these matches.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is a huge loss for Celtic in defence - as is Alistair Johnston - but there are more than capable deputies in Anthony Ralston and Yuki Kobayashi.

I reckon this one will go to the wire with both sides keen to avoid defeat at all costs, but I'd give the edge to Celtic to leave Ibrox with all three points. 

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